The lights may be off on Broadway this year, but that hasn’t stopped Patti LuPone from taking to the stage in a new virtual format.

LuPone’s concert is part of a new concert series, Live from the West Side: Women of Broadway. There’s a feel-good Texas connection to the series, as ticket sales support Texas Performing Arts’ reopening and recovery efforts.

“And there it is, the sign of no clapping,” joked LuPone after she finished singing her first song and explained that she has ‘COVID brain’ and is sick of singing for nothing from her basement. On a more serious note, she also praised the virtual format for feeling more intimate, encouraging audience members to ask questions, similar to everyone having a conversation.

LuPone stood alone, with only her pianist, on stage at The Shubert Virtual Studios on Manhattan’s West Side.

The thing I liked best about LuPone’s performance is how she incorporated so many personal stories from her life and career into the show. Viewers had an opportunity to hear about how she got started on Broadway, her childhood, and different roles she’s played. It turns out, in some of those productions, she secretly wanted to play other parts. She finally got her chance as she belted out different songs during her October 24 performance.

LuPone is an award-winning Broadway star with two Tony Awards, two Grammy awards and two Olivier awards. She is also a New York Times bestselling author for her novel, Patti LuPone: A Memoir. Active on the Broadway scene since 1973, she made her debut in Three Sisters. She’s also been very active in television with a recent role in 2019 in the drama Pose. You can also currently watch her as Avis Amberg in Ryan Murphy’s Hollywood series on Netflix.

“Live from the West Side: Women of Broadway” has two more not-to-miss events. Tony Award winner Laura Benanti takes the stage November 14, and actress and singer Vanessa Williams performs on December 5.

The shows are super interactive. Audience members are asked to email questions that can be answered during the livestream. Another feature that I really enjoyed was the interactive chat bar during the livestream, where you could see other audience member’s reactions to the show.

Subscription packages are available at $75 per household to watch all three shows, or $30 per household for an individual stream. Tickets are available online.

Proceeds from ticket sales support Texas Performing Arts’ reopening and recovery efforts.

Cover photo courtesy Rahav

Britni Rachal lives in Austin, Texas. She is a freelance journalist and a full-time marketer. In addition to writing, Rachal enjoys traveling, event planning, fashion, fitness and serving the Austin community.